Elastomer article with amine curable layer of polymer

ABSTRACT

A repaired elastomer article having a cut or crack entirely therethrough. A treating agent is located about the cut portion on the inner surface of the article and an amine curable polymer or prepolymer layer resides over said treating agent. A cured elastomeric patch resides over said curable polymer. Since the amine curable polymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur on site. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

CROSS REFERENCE

This Patent Application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No.767,998, filed Aug. 21, 1985, now abandoned, which in turn is acontinuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 584,426, filed Feb. 28, 1984, nowabandoned, for Tire Repair By "Patch Only" Method.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composition and method for the repairof elastomeric articles having a crack/cut therein which is repairedwith a cured patch. More specifically, the present invention relates tothe use of a treating agent and an amine curable polymer to adhere thepatch to the crack/cut area.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, reinforced rubber articles such as giant tires having anopening therein have been repaired utilizing an uncured patch.Generally, the tire was taken to a retread or rubber repair shop wherethe damaged area was removed. Generally, an all-purpose gum rubber wasapplied to the opening. On the interior side of the article, the generalarea of the opening was buffed and a conventional rubber cement appliedthereto. Then, an uncured patch was applied. The gum rubber as well asthe adhesive was then cured in a mold by applying heat thereto orthrough utilizing steam heat for a period of approximately 8 to 12hours.

Prior art patches fall into two classes, the chemical cure patches whichare high in cost and provide only poor adhesion to the substrate anduncured patches which require the use of heat for proper cure andadhesion. Unlike the method of heat application for the gum rubberfiller, a rather sophisticated process must be used to cure this lattertype of patch, to wit, a tire mold or similar device. Thus when a patchis required, an on-the-spot or in situ repair is exceedingly cumbersomeat best and in most cases impossible, requiring the article to bereturned to the shop.

The present invention utilizes a cured rubber patch secured to theelastomer substrate through an adhesive system which is curable atambient temperatures. There is therefore no need for the use of a tiremold to effect repair and the article can easily and quickly be treatedin the field, saving both time and expense. The adhesive system utilizesan amine curable polyurethane or other prepolymer and a treating agent.

Considering the prior art, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,755,261 to VanGulick;3,888,831 to Kogan; 3,834,934 to Broisman; 3,644,256 also to Broisman;and 3,718,587 to Bhakuni relate to amine curable curing agents, aminecurable polymers, or R.F.L. type adhesives. However, these patents lackany suggestion of applicants' treating agent or repair of an elastomerarticle.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,794 to DeSantis relates to a moisture-curablepolyurethane sealant primer system, whereas U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,283 toDenOtter relates to flame retardants utilized in cyanuric acidderivatives. Hughson Chemical Division, Lord Corporation, Product No.PS-2682-71 relates to a surface primer for elastomeric substancesutilizing a proprietary compound thought to be mono- ordichloroisocyanuric acid. An article entitled "Room TemperatureVulcanizing Adhesive Based on Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer,"Cantor, Uniroyal, Paper No. 18, presented to the Division of RubberChemistry of the American Chemical Society, Denver, Colo., Oct. 10, 1973relates to various oxidants which effect ambient temperature cures ofE.P.D.M.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,219 to Oldam relates to a polyurethane paint whichis applied to vulcanized rubbers. British Pat. No. 1,352,645 relates toa polyurethane paint which is applied to vulcanized rubbers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,522 to Becker relates to a polyurethane adhesive,whereas U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,530 to Cutts relates to triazoline dioneswhich are utilized in lieu of chlorinated or halogenated donors fortreating elastomeric surfaces to improve adhesion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,156 relates to utilizing a non-fully cured plug torepair an aperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,454 to Utsonomiya relates to a method of attachingconnecting parts of an offshore structure wherein a liquid rubber isapplied over a treating solution which may contain a halogen molecule.As such, this reference lacks applicants' treating agent as well asrepair of an elastomeric article having a patch thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,378 to Pearson relates to a cured rubber tire havinga specific polyurethane therein and to a chlorine water treatment.Hence, Pearson also fails to teach or suggest applicants' recitedtreating agent as well as the patched article.

British Pat. No. 1,352,645 relates to N-halogen sulfonamide treatingagents which halogenize surfaces of synthetic and/or natural rubbers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,255 to Blaskjiewicz relates to the adhesion of apolyurethane to an EPDM surface utilizing various adhesives, however,Blaskjiewicz does not use his treating agent to form a treating layerand utilizes elevated temperatures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,970 to Honda does not disclose amine curable resinsor an ambient temperature cure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,852 to Gomberg relates only to the use of acyanoacrylate adhesive.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,704 to Williams relates to applying tire tread to atire. This patent lacks any suggestion of applicants' treating agent orthe repair of a tire aperture.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,327,138 and 4,399,852 to Hausch fail to diclose a curedrubber patch in repairing a rubber article. Similarly U.S. Pat. Nos.4,401,145 and 4,311,181 also to Hausch relate to an indicia and not toany cured patch.

One prior art method of repairing a tire article relates to theutilization of a proprietary compound thought to be a mixture of rubberand accelerators which is applied to the aperture and then cured. Ingeneral, a very poor adhesion results and heat is required.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a repairedreinforced elastomer article in which a cut portion thereof has a curedrubber patch on the interior side thereof.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a reinforcedelastomer article having a patch thereon, as above in which an aminecurable polymer and a treating agent adheres said patch to said article.

It is still a further aspect of the present invention to provide areinforced elastomer article having a patch thereon, as above, in whichsaid amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperature.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a reinforcedelastomer article having a patch thereon, as above, wherein said patchabates or eliminates air leaks through said cut area.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a reinforcedelastomer article having a patch thereon, as above, wherein said curedrubber patch has cords therein.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a reinforcedelastomer article having a patch thereon, as above, wherein saidelastomer may also be used to fill an enlarged cut portion through thecord body for the purpose of preventing rocks or other foreign materialfrom further damaging the cord body of the tire and/or patch.

It is still a further aspect of the present invention to provide areinforced elastomer article having a patch thereon, as above, whereinsaid repaired elastomer article is a tire, a conveyor belt, or the like.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become moreapparent from the repaired elastomer article, comprising:

said article having a crack/cut extending therethrough,

a treating agent, said treating agent applied to the inner surface ofsaid article and surrounding said crack/cut; said treating agentselected from a group consisting of N-haloimides, and combinationsthereof;

an amine curable polymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer orprepolymer residing on said treated surface; and

a cured elastomer patch, said patch residing over said amine curablepolymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer or prepolymer bondedto patch and said elastomer article at ambient temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 relates to cross sectional view showing the repair of areinforced elastomer article having a crack/cut extending completelythrough according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a reinforced elastomer articlehaving a crack or a cut therein, that is a crack/cut, is repaired byutilizing a cured elastomer patch usually having cords therein. Thepatch is used to repair the crack/cut which generally extends throughthe elastomer. The patch is generally applied on the non-initially cutor internal side of the article and the cut itself, if an openingexists, generally need not be filled. Portion 15 of the article is shownhaving a cut or crack therein. For the purposes of the presentinvention, the cut or crack (crack/cut) generally extends throughout theentire article such that it is in need of repair. Article 10, such as atire, conveyor belt or the like, generally has reinforcement thereinsuch as in the form of cords 18. When crack 16 extends through thearticle retaining pressurized gas therein, such as a tire, the articlewill gradually lose pressure unless the loss of gas is stopped. The lossof air pressure in the tire makes it unsuitable for use.

The crack/cut can be caused by a number of items such as nails, bolts,screws, metal objects, rocks, spikes, equipment, and the like. Thepresent invention is ideally suited for large off-the-road tiresalthough can also be applied to normal passenger car tires, truck tires,conveyor belts, and the like.

In order to repair the elastomer article, the interior side, or thatside of the article opposite the initial cut penetration, is preparedfor the application of the patch thereto. Such preparation generallyincludes removal of the tire innerliner layer as well as removal of oneor more layers located immediately thereunder. Since usually the cordsin the area of the crack/cut are often damaged, they can be severedoutside of the damaged area and removed. Oftentime portions of two ormore of the tire cords are removed. The remaining exposed area is thenbuffed via any conventional apparatus or treatment. It is then cleanedutilizing conventional solvents such as acetone, rubber solvent, andtrichlorethane, and the like. Treating agent 30 is then applied to thecleaned area and allowed to dry. An amine curable polymer or prepolymeris then applied thereover, A cured patch 20 having a layer of treatingagent 30 on one side thereof is then applied to the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer layer 40. The thickness of the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer 40 generally varies between 1/6" to 1/8" thick andcovers the area buffed out.

Upon cure the repair obtained is usually equal to or stronger than thestrength of the original article. Moreover, should the cut be largeenough such that an opening exists on the exterior side, there isgenerally no need to fill said cut.

Another distinctive advantage of the present invention is that the aminecurable polymer cures at ambient temperature. Thus, the repair can bemade on the job site. That is, there is no need to take the tire or thearticle to the nearest retread shop or rubber repair shop which on someoccasions may be hundreds of miles away.

Considering now the article to be repaired, or substrate 15, is a curedrubber or elastomer, having unsaturated groups therein. The substratecan be any conventional elastomer or rubber known to those skilled inthe art. For example, it can be made from conjugated dienes having from4 to 12 carbon atoms such as butadiene, isoprene, and the like. It canalso be made from natural rubber, that is from a substance which isobtained from various trees and plants which grow in the tropics ordesert portions of the world. Such natural rubber generally has acontent in excess of 90 and usually in excess of 95 percent ofcis-1,4-polyisoprene. The substrate can also be made from variouselastomeric copolymers such as those made from monomers of conjugateddienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms as set forth above and vinylsubstituted aromatic compounds having from 8 to 15 carbon atoms.Examples of such vinyl substituted aromatic compounds include styrene,alpha-methylstryrene, and the like. An example of a specific copolymeris styrene-butadiene rubber.

Naturally, other types of rubber compounds can be utilized such as theso-called butyl rubbers, neoprene, that is polychloroprene, and thelike, as well as blends of said above rubbers.

Suitable treating agents include the various N-halohydantoins, thevarious N-haloamides, the various N-haloimides, and combinationsthereof. Examples of various desirable N-halohydantoins include1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin; 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin;1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-isobutyl hydantoin; and1,3-dichhloro-5-methyl-5-hexyl hydantoin. Examples of N-haloamidesinclude N-bromoacetamide and tetrachloroglycoluril. Examples ofN-haloimides in clude N-bromosuccinimide and the various chlorosubstituted s-triazinetriones, commonly known as mono-, di-, andtrichloroisocyanuric acids. A preferred treating composition for use inthe practice of the present invention are the various mono-, di-, ortrichloroisocyanuric acids, or combinations thereof.Trichloroisocyanuric acid is especially preferred.

The treating agents usually exist in solid form. They are readilysoluble in solvents such as acetone and the like and thus can be appliedin liquid form. Application of the treating agent generally occurs atambient temperatures. Application can occur through any conventionalmanner as through brushing, spraying, and the like. The amount appliedis such that the rubber substrate surface is coated. Preferably, two ormore coats of the treating agent or adhesive compound is used to ensurethat all the cured rubber substrate surface has been coated.

A typical amount of the treating agent in the suitable solvent, forexample ethyl acetate or acetone, is generally from about 0.1 to about10 percent by weight based upon the total weight of said treating agentand solvent, and preferably from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent.Of course, higher or lower concentrations can be utilized. This solventsystem has been found to dry within a matter of minutes so that theamine curable polymer or prepolymer can be bonded thereto. It is thoughtthat the adhesive treating system adds halogen groups, for example,chlorine to the cured rubber which activates the cured rubber surfaceallowing the amine curable polymer or polymer system to adhere stronglyto the cured rubber surface.

Of the various amine curable polymers or prepolymers, the urethanes arepreferred. Other prepolymers or polymers which can be cured with theamine curing agent include the compounds set forth in U.S. Pat. No.3,755,261 which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. Briefly, suchcompounds are the various epoxy resins such as those disclosed in the"Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology" IntersciencePublishers, New York (1967), Volume 6, pages 212-221; halogen-containinghydrocarbon polymers such as chloroprene polymers, chlorinated butylrubber, and chlorinated polyethylene and polypropylene; chlorosulfonatedpolymers such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,257; polymerscontaining acid halide groups such as ##STR1## haloformate groups suchas ##STR2## polymer containing anhydride groups which on reaction withdiamines yield amide-acid linkages, and organo-polysiloxanes asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,010.

The urethane prepolymers or polymers, that is, those which containisocyanate groups, are generally formed by first reacting a polyetherpolyol or a polyester polyol with a molar excess of a diisocyanate toform a prepolymer having terminal isocyanate groups. The polymer is thencured to increase its molecular weight from less than about 3,000upwards to over 10,000. Examples of such polymers are set forth in U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,620,516; 2,777,831; 2,843,568; 2,866,774; 2,900,368;2,929,800; 2,948,691; 2,948,707; and 3,114,735, all of which are herebyfully incorporated by reference. Typical specific examples of suchpolyurethanes include Adiprene L-367, polytetramethylene ether glycolcontaining approximately 6.4 percent isocyanate end groups by weight,manufactured by DuPont; Adiprene L-42, polytetramethylene ether glycolcontaining approximately 2.8 percent isocyanate end groups by weight,manufactured by DuPont; and Cyanaprene A-7, a polyester-based coatingpolymer with approximately 2.4 percent isocyanate end groups,manufactured by American Cyanamid. Blends of these polyurethanes canalso be utilized. Moreover, it has been found, particularly with repairor application of the amine curable polymer to the patch area, that isthe area between patch 20 and cured substrate 11, better adhesion isoften obtained by utilizing two different types of urethane. Forexample, a urethane containing a high amount by weight of isocyanate endgroups such as Adiprene L-367 can be blended with a urethane containinga low amount by weight of isocyanate end groups such as Adiprene L-42.The amount of one urethane to the other can range from about 1 to about99 percent and desirably from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight.

To the amine curable prepolymer or polymer compound is added aconventional amine curing agent, known to those skilled in the art.Generally, any conventional or known amine curing agent can be used and,hence, only a few specific examples will be given. Thus, the curingagent can be MOCA, that is 4,4'-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) or,desirably a complex of 4,4'-methylene dianiline and a salt, or a complexof racemic 2,3-di-(4-aminophenyl) butane and a salt, as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,261 to VanGulick which is hereby fully incorporated byreference. The latter two complexes are preferred. The methods forpreparing the complexes are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,261. Apreferred salt utilized with the 4,4'-methylene dianiline compound issodium chloride or lithium chloride. Due generally to availability andcosts, the complexes or salts derived from 4,4'-methylene dianiline arehighly preferred. Another class of amine curing agents which can beutilized are the various Versamides, that is the condensation productsof polyamines and dibasic acids obtained when certain unsaturated fattyacids are polymerized, and are manufactured by Henkel Chemical Company.

The equivalent weight of the curing agent utilized with regard to thecurable prepolymer or polymer, including the amine curing agent,generally ranges from about 85 percent to 115 percent with from about 95to 105 percent being preferred.

Often to facilitate processing, the curing agent, and especially anamine curing agent such as the complex of 4,4'-methylene dianiline and asalt is utilized with a plasticizer such as dioctylphthalate on a 50percent weight basis, or Flexol 4-GO, tetraethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) manufactured by Union Carbide Corporation on a 50 percentweight basis. The amount of plasticizer can range from about 20 percentto about 60 weight percent.

The curing agent is blended with the prepolymer or polymers in variousmixers such as dough mixers, high speed impellers, paddle-type mixers,and the like. Small batches can be mixed by stirring with a spatula.Usually, the prepolymer or polymer is a liquid. If not, when mixed withthe polar solvent, a liquid mixture results. However, even if a solidcuring agent is used, when added to the prepolymer or the polymer, andto a solvent system, a liquid system results even though the curingagent (e.g., amine) can be in the form of a dispersion. Thus, eventhough the system may contain solids therein, the solids exist in theform of a dispersion so that a liquid system is produced.

The curing agent and the amine curable polymers or prepolymers form thecurable polymer system which is mixed with a polar solvent so that aliquid system is obtained which cures at ambient or room temperature,that is, the prevailing temperature as from about 10° C. to about 50° C.Often the ambient temperature will range from about 15° C. to about 35°C. or 40° C. The polar solvents which can be utilized, especially withthe amine curing agent and the amine polymers or prepolymers are, forexample, set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,831 to Kogon which is herebyfully incorporated by reference. Generally, the amount of solventutilized per 100 parts by weight of the curable prepolymer or polymerranges from about 2 to about 40, desirably from about 2 to about 20, andpreferably from about 5 to about 15 parts by weight. Specific examplesof preferred solvents include dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran,cyclohexanone, ethyl acetate, nitromethane, nitroethane, nitropropane,methyl ethyl ketone, and acetone. Acetone and methyl ethyl ketone arehighly preferred. The amount of curing agent, based upon said polymer orprepolymer, ranges from about 0.85 to about 1.15 equivalents.

Considering patch 20, it can generally be of any desired size so long asit adequately covers the surface area of the aperture. Generally, anappropriate patch size will be known to one skilled in the art of patchconstruction and/or patch application. The patch is made of rubber andis generally fully cured. Although cured natural rubber of a compositioncontaining at least 80 percent by weight of natural rubber is oftenpreferred, any conventional type of cured rubber compound can beutilized. Thus, the patch can be made substantially from a conjugateddiene having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, copolymers made from conjugateddienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms with vinyl substituted aromaticshaving from 8 to 15 carbon atoms, for example styrene butadiene rubber,and the like. In essence, the patch can be made out of the same type ofrubber as the substrate. Often, the patch will have a cushioned layerthereon to alleviate stresses formed between the tire carcass and tirepatch. However, this is not always necessary.

Since in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the substratehas cords therein, desirably the patch also has cords therein. Morespecifically, whenever approximately 25 percent to about 50 percent ofthe cords are damaged, severed, broken, etc., the strength of the cordsin the patch is approximately equal to the strength of the total cordsin the article before any injury thereto. However, should approximately50 percent to 100 percent of all cords be damaged, severed, or otherwiseinjured, the strength of the cords in the patch is equal to the strengthof the total cords in the article before injury thereto. Should thenumber of damaged cords in the article be less than approximately 25percent, then, the strength of the remaining cords is usually adequatesuch that a reinforced patch need not be utilized. The cords in thepatch can be made of polyester, nylon, steel, rayon and the like, withnylon being preferred.

The area around the cut or crack is buffed and cleaned as set forthabove. The treating agent 30 is applied and then the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer is applied. Treating agent 30 is also applied toone side of the patch. The ends of the patch can be taped to thesubstrate or held in place with a curing tube located inside the tire.The number of cords of the patch is as previously set forth. While thepatch is held in place, the amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures atambient temperatures.

In forming the amine curable polymer system, generally the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer is mixed with the polar solvent and then thecuring agent is added last. During cure, an effective and strong bond isformed between the prepolymer or polymer system and the treatedelastomer substrate. Since the present invention relates to an ambienttemperature cure, repair of large and cumbersome articles such asoff-the-road tires, conveyor belts, and the like, can be made in situ.In other words, the repair can be made at the job site. The onlyaccessory which may be required is a pneumatic bladder, although a sandbag can be used. In extreme cold weather it is desirable to bring thedamaged area of the tire, through the use of heating pads, up to ambienttemperature. Since the cure is ambient, no steam chambers, or othervulcanizable tire repair equipment are required. This, of course, alsoresults in an energy savings.

It is to be understood that various conventional additives in typicalamounts can be added to the amine curing agent and prepolymer systemsuch as colorants, softeners, fillers, antioxidants, plasticizers, andthe like.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingrepresentative examples.

EXAMPLES

A tire which was determined to have an air leak was repaired inaccordance with the present invention as follows:

The interior portion of the tire at which the air leak was determinedwas thoroughly buffed utilizing an OTR buffing tool. In this manner, theinnerliner and the tiegum layer were removed down to the first body ply.Then, any damaged body cords were carefully removed. The buffed portionwas then cleaned by vacuuming out the last traces of any buffing dustand the like. Next the buffed area was thoroughly cleaned with acetoneon Rymplecloth. Generally, the area buffed and cleaned was about 12" to24" to 12" to 24", then, a patch of a size set forth in the table waslightly buffed and cleaned in the same manner. The treating agent wasapplied in several coats as a 3 percent solution oftrichloro-s-triazinetrione in ethyl acetate. This was allowed to dry.Then, the amine curable urethane system was applied which comprise thefollowing two components: "A" side, 150 gm adiprene L-367, 150 gmadiprene 42, 30 gr 460 and 30 gm of acetone; "B" side, 73 gm caytur 21.

The thoroughly mixed polyurethane was then coated on to the buffed areaof the tire and also to the reinforcing patch which was fully cured andcontained no uncured layer. The patch containing the urethane thereonwas applied to the buffed portion of the tire which had also previouslybeen treated with the treating agent. The patch was taped into place andfirmly held by inflating a curing tube inside the tire. After standingapproximately 16-18 hours at an ambient temperature, tape was removedand the tire was placed back into service. The following results wereobtained.

                                      TABLE                                       __________________________________________________________________________    TIRE                                                                              TIRE   PATCH  ORIGINAL                                                                              REPAIR                                                                              RECENT                                        #   SIZE   SIZE   HOURS   HOURS STATUS                                        __________________________________________________________________________    1   36.00 × 51                                                                     12" × 12"                                                                      2606    1587  Worn Out                                      2   "      12" × 12"                                                                      2763     984  Worn Out                                      3   "      12" × 12"                                                                      2068    1371  Off, second rock                                                              cut in the tire                               4   "      12" × 12"                                                                       671    1647  Still in                                                                      Service                                       5   "      15" × 15"                                                                      2784     744  Off, second rock                                                              cut in the tire                               6   "      18" × 18"                                                                      1643     575  Off, patch                                                                    failed                                        __________________________________________________________________________

As readily apparent from the Table, patches were quite effective in thatin Tires #1 and #2 the tire actually wore out. The remaining tires arestill in service or have obtained a second rock cut or the patch failed(not the adhesive). With regard to Tire #6, it is noted that the firstrepair failed because of a weak patch. However, upon replacement with astronger patch, the performance of the repair improved.

From the above Table, it can be seen that a patch according to thepresent invention is very effective in repairing the tire as well assealing air leaks therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A repaired elastomer article, comprising:theelastomer article, said elastomer article having an interior substrate,said interior substrate having cords therein, said article having acrack-cut extending therethrough, said elastomer article having aninterior prepared area created by removal of one or more of said cordsin the vicinity of said crack/cut; a treating agent, said treating agentapplied to said interior prepared area of said article and surroundingsaid crack-cut; said treating agent selected from a group consisting ofN-halohydrantoins, N-haloamides, N-haloimides, and combinations thereof;an amine curable polymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer orprepolymer residing on said interior treated surface, said exteriorcrack/cut being free of said amine curable polymer or prepolymer; and acured elastomer patch, said patch residing over said amine curablepolymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer or prepolymer bondedto said patch and said elastomer article at ambient temperature.
 2. Arepaired elastomer article according to claim 1, wherein said patch hascords therein.
 3. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 2,wherein said amine curable polymer or prepolymer is selected from thegroup consisting of (a) epoxy resins; (b) halogen-containing hydrocarbonpolymers; (c) chlorosulfonated polymers; (d) polymers containing acidhalide groups such as ##STR3## or haloformate groups such as ##STR4##(e) polymers containing anhydride groups which, on reaction withdiamines, yield amide-acid linkages, (f) organopolysiloxanes; (g)urethane polymers or prepolymers; and combinations thereof; and whereinsaid treating agent is selected from the group consisting of1,3-dichloro-5-5-dimethyl hydantoin; 1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-isobutylhydantoin; 1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-hexyl hydantoin; N-bromoacetamide;tetrachloroglycoluril; N-bromosuccinimide, mono-, di-, ortrichloroisocyanuric acid; and combinations thereof.
 4. A repairedelastomer article according to claim 3, wherein said ambient temperaturecure of said amine curable polymer or prepolymer occurs at a temperatureof from about 10° C. to about 50° C.
 5. A repaired elastomer articleaccording to claim 4, wherein said treating agent is selected from thegroup consisting of monochloroisocyanuric acid, dichloroisocyanuricacid, trichloroisocyanuric acid, and combinations thereof, and whereinsaid treating agent is applied to said patch.
 6. A repaired elastomerarticle according to claim 5, wherein said amine cured polymer orprepolymer is said urethane polymer or prepolymer and wherein said aminecurable polymer or prepolymer cures at a temperature of from about 15°C. to about 30° C.
 7. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 6,and wherein the number of cords in said patch is approximately equal toor greater than the strength of the cords in said elastomer article, andwherein said elastomer article is a tire.
 8. A repaired elastomerarticle, comprising:the elastomer article, said elastomer article havingan interior substrate, said interior substrate having an innerlinerlayer and one or more layers located immediately thereunder, saidinterior substrate having cords therein, said article having a crack/cutextending therethrough including through said innerliner and said one ormore layers located immediately thereunder, an interior prepared arealocated in the vicinity of said interior crack/cut substrate, saidinterior prepared area having said innerliner removed therefrom andfurther having one or more of said layers located immediately under saidremoved innerliner, said interior prepared area having one or more cordssevered outside of said crack/cut area, said severed cords removed fromsaid interior prepared area; a treating agent, said treating agentapplied to said interior prepared area of said article and surroundingsaid crack/cut; said treating agent selected from a group consisting ofN-halohydantoins, N-haloamides, N-haloimides, and combinations thereof;an amine curable polymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer orprepolymer residing on said interior treated surface, said exteriorcrack-cut being free of said amine curable polymer or prepolymer; and acured elastomer patch, said patch residing over said amine curablepolymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer or prepolymer bondedto said patch and said elastomer article at ambient temperature.
 9. Arepaired elastomer article according to claim 8, wherein said removedcords are removed from the interior side of said article.